Ask Coruscant A Mutually Beneficial Arrangement

[Zor]

Zor's modest office was located in Lower Coruscant, a place for which he felt a profound disdain. Despite his contempt however, maintaining the appearance of closeness with the populace of the undercity whom he had professed to serve as a testament to his faith was of prime importance. His entire public persona rested on the idea that he stood apart from the corrupted Coruscanti elite.

Comprised of a seemingly endless network of tunnels and debris of buildings from a bygone era, the underlevels of the ecumenopolis represented a mixture of ancient and forgotten ruins from the planet's prehistory on top of which modern-looking, crime-ridden venues, clubs, and overcrowded apartment complexes had been build haphazardly. There had been no grand design to lay out the placement of the civil constructs leading to a form of organized chaos that gave way to an endless maze plunging into the depts of the planetary core.

The headquarters of Pius Dea could be found inside the converted ruins of a partially restored obsolete Jedi alcove that had been purged from all its blasphemous content and re-sanctified in the name of the Goddess. The small cathedral stood between a dreary cantina and an industrialized supersized trash compactor that seemed to have fallen in a state of disrepair given the putrid miasma that emanated from it and clung to the surrounding air.

Despite its outward appearance, the interior of the sanctuary looked pristine, almost regal. A radiance shone through the vault of the sanctum where a crystalline construct reminiscent of a chandelier seemed to reflect and amplify the rare rays of lights that permeated through the undercity giving the immaculate white walls an ethereal luster. An aurodium-treaded carpeting led the way from the entrance to the apse where the administrative offices were located.

Zor's office was small but serviceable. Furniture made from the wood of Wroshyr trees imported from Kashyyyk contrasted the minimally decorated monochromatic room. Everything appeared to have been arranged and ordered in a very deliberate way, for the Patriarch would not tolerate it otherwise. There were no personal memorabilia laid anywhere, no greenery of any kind; simply a desk parting two identical chairs facing one another in perfect symmetry.

As he sat across from his ajar office door waiting for the brilliant tech tycoon he hoped would become his new business partner, Zor reflected on the consequences of the great wealth disparities that afflicted most of the Core Worlds. When credits are focused into the hands of a few, when they are easier to gain by criminal means, when money is power, sentient beings devolve to their more primordial instincts, he sighed as he noticed a Duracrete slug outside slowly making its way across the metallic pavement through the panoramic window to his right.

@The Good Doctor
OCC: Sorry for the long post, I got carried away since I had not written in such a long time. I'll rectify that on my next post

 

[Newton]

The Courscant underworld. Newton was born and raised on Courscant and if there is one thing he knows about Courscant it's to stay away from lower Courscant. Lots of criminals, poverty, scum and the likes and it smells awful as well. But today he is meeting with a very certain someone, and unfortunately he needs to go there.

Newton wore some urban casual clothing, including a jacket instead of his normal business wear. He doesn't want to stick out like a sore thumb there of all places, although he wore a blastvest under his clothing just in case and he brought along his personal droid retinue. Newton had his P1 named Pi class droid by his side, and he had the HW droid scouting ahead from above making sure there are no threats in his path.

But he has arrived. The building in which they are meeting in looked rubbish on the outside, but on the inside it looked... grand. Newton nodded with how impressive that is. The Blackwell Executive was then ushered in by a Pius Dea member to where he needed to go, straight to the Patriarch himself. He would arrive in Zor's office. "Hello there, Zor." he greeted with. "Pleasure meeting you today."

He would also raise a hand towards the Falleen for a handshake in a professional manner, his expression neutral. Newton watched the address of his after contact was made between the two. This Zor is religious. Very religious it seems. This is clearly some sort of chapel, and he really doesn't seem to like Force users at all. Newton doesn't care about religion himself, religion is an outdated thing. What Newton does care about though is credits, and Newton doesn't mind talking business with religious people if the credits are good.

@Aberforth

 

[Zor]

The Patriarch fought back the urge to wince at being addressed so unceremoniously. It had been ages since he had been referred to by his given name. Proper etiquette dictated usage of his title or, at the very least, of the honorific "your Beatitude", but Zor would let this impropriety slide in the interest of forging a durable partnership.

"The Goddess smiles upon you, my child," he replied raising from his chair to greet Arden and his lifeless entourage. As his guest presented his hand for the primitive gesture of pleasantry frequently adhered to by humans, the Falleen resisted the impulse to frown and signify his discontentment for a second time. Pius Dea custom stipulated that the visitor ought to present their lips to the golden ring on Patriarch's fourth finger to mark their introduction. Nevertheless, Zor obliged the entrepreneur and mechanically presented his own hand in return.

"It's truly a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Zor added waving to the second seat facing him to indicate that his new associate should take place as he regained his own.

"I trust that your voyage was not too arduous?" he asked politely feigning interest though not really caring for the answer. His gaze shifted to a hovering droid that seemed to momentarily scan his office for any sign of danger. He had never seen a model quite like this one. How ingenious. This sure seems promising, he reflected. "I invited you here because I have heard through some mutual contacts that you were a man of talent."

Newton Arden had been highly recommended: Zor had heard that the man would show himself to be easily agreeable... given the right price. "Of course, if you lend aid to our cause, I'll personally see to it that you are fairly compensated."

@The Good Doctor

 

[Newton]

"Likewise" Newton would then take his seat. "It wasn't too bad" he said plainly about the voyage here, although he could have done without, it was typical small talk though. With the pleasantries out of the way, they can get on to buisness. The why they are here today. Newton wasn't sure if the `Goddess` really did smile upon him, but he was right about one thing, Newton was definitely a man of talent.

"I am indeed a man of talent, you heard correctly" he said and smirked. But just as quickly his smirk faded. Anyways, time to hear the Patriarch out. Newton would then relax in his seat. "What is it you need?" he would ask. Blackwell is able to do many things for the right price. Newton was curious about what the Patriarch could want from him. Could it be droids? Zor did seem somewhat interested in one of the hovering droids Newton brought along. If so, Blackwell does have lots of droids for sale.

@Aberforth

 

[Zor]

Forwardness was a quality that the Patriarch had always admired, for time was truly the most valuable of commodities. So precious that you were unable to buy more no matter how wealthy you might be. And once lost, it could never be replenished. Time also happened to be the commodity that was most often wasted by people. Nevertheless, some things, like faith – in the Goddess or in others – were worth the expenditure.

There was much to grasp about the fiber of one's character from the way they conducted business. It was something, Zor had learned in his previous life as a facilitator of sort for the Intergalactic Banking Clan. Negotiation was like a dance between strangers in which the participants needed to develop a deep understanding of each other if only to avoid tripping over themselves and the Falleen was not ready for this Boxnov-three step to come to an end just yet.

"Tell me. What do you know about the Clone Wars?" he inquired a Devaronian grin forming in the corner of his mouth.

"And more specifically, what have those distinguished professors of yours at the fine Coruscant Institute of Technology taught you about the sequence of events that finally brought it to an end?" Despite its significance, the then Galactic Empire had tried through all its might to sweep away the memories of the troubled times that had led to Darth Sidious' rise to power, and many academics still played right into this charade to this day. However, traces of history could still be assembled to paint a greater picture and for those inquisitive minds who managed to put it all together, there were invaluable lessons to be learned.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Newton]

Lots of things come to mind when asked about the Clone Wars, the war between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy. Clones and Jedi vs Separatist corporations and their droid armies. It's ancient history at this point, over one-hundred years? Although Newton knows about the various droid designs used by old CIS. From the lowly B-1 Battledroid to the elite IG-100 Magnaguard; to their various droid starfighters, and their extremely powerful annihilator droids. Some of those he's even seen in person. The CIS's legacy is still felt to this day. Even some of Newton's designs take some cues from them and improves upon them.

It was true, Order 66 is not something Newton was taught or have been made aware on his own. "Uh, the Jedi and the Clones were winning the war against the Separatists. The Jedi were declared traitors and enemies of the Republic, and then gunned down. Then the Republic preceded to decapacitate the Separatist leadership and win the war. Then the Galactic Empire was declared by Palpatine" Newton would wonder why this question is being asked. Besides, other than the droids, Newton couldn't care less about old history, preferring to focus on the present and the future, but he was curious what the Patriarch is trying to get at with this line of questioning. Although with Zor's epxression, the grin, maybe he knows something he doesn't.

@Aberforth

 

[Zor]

Zor stood briefly dumbstruck. How could a man who had been proven to possess such a keen intellect and a sharp mind be so singularly devoid of curiosity for one of the galaxy's most pivotal conflicts?

"How remarkably succinct!" He simply retorted. "Yet have you ever wondered what caused the clones to revolt against their Jedi Generals? How could it be that they simply, suddenly, followed a command that had them kill the closest thing they had to family outside of their own brothers? Without question. Without remorse."

Although he could tell that his passion for history was not shared by his companion, Zor didn't care. Through understanding how galactic history had been outlined and how its pivotal actors had met their demise, he could paint a detailed picture of where it stood today and, more importantly, where it was going.

"Moreover, it was executed so seamlessly. Have you ever considered the implications?" As he continued, the Patriarch's excitement became more and more tangible; a defined wrinkle ran from the sides of his nose to the corners of his mouth exposing his pearlescent teeth.

"When the Kaminoans created the clones, they implanted them with a behavioral modification biochip," Zor explained, unable to hamper his enthusiasm long enough to give his interlocutor a chance to answer his queries. "At the suggestion of Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas, that bio-implant was to prevent the clones from turning against commanders by limiting their independence." He had initially meat to say their free will, a concept entirely foreign to the Jedi Order, and that it had no qualms trampling over, but he restrained himself. There was no need for an excess of dogmatic fervor.

"Darth Sidious, with the help of his apprentice Count Dooku, seized that opportunity to encode a secret directive within the implants," the Falleen paused momentarily, letting the tension build up. "Order 66."

"When the inhibitor chips activated, the clones' agency was revoked. They were reduced to follow something akin to a droid's core programming, uniting them in a singular purpose: to exterminate the Jedi threat," Zor added in terms he hoped Arden would appreciate. It had been a brilliant stratagem and offered so much promise to deal with the threat the Jedi and Sith both represented.

"The Galactic Empire would later go on to employ a similar technology to ensure the obedience of its enslaved Wookiee population on Kashyyyk." That proved that the scheme had not only been clever but also that it was reproducible.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Newton]

The question was posed to him, yes, it did seem odd that the guns just suddenly gun down their Jedi Generals all of a sudden. Maybe it was just a soldier's conditioning? Good soldiers are supposed to be following orders aren't they? But then again morality is something that organics trouble with. Droids do as they are told and don't have such petty things as morality to hold them back.

But then, as the Patriarch explained, the picture became more and more clear. Behavioral modification chips. So this 'Order 66' is what killed off the Jedi at the end of the Clone Wars. The droid programming phrase was apt and that's what the Clones were reduced to. No free will, just following their programming. And it was replicated on the Wookies too.

When the mystery was all illuminated to Newton, it all made sense. So that's what the Pius Dea leader is here for. He must want chips of his own. Is he looking to make his own army? But why not just get some droids instead? Flesh is weak after all. But then again, this bio-chip thing does have Newton pretty interested, he would show off a slight grin of his own.

"I see... So what's what you are looking for, you are wanting control chips?" he was pretty sure at this point, but he asked to confirm. As the galaxy's premier tech corporation, Newton has no doubt Blackwell can make these chips. Newton doesn't know how exactly the Patriarch would use the chips, but the prospect of making them does seem interesting. The way to control organic beings as if they were droids. Tell them what to do, and the will do it without question... the possibilities...

"If so, you came to the right person."

@Aberforth

 

[Zor]

Having expected Arden to be more inquisitive, Zor was relieved by the entrepreneur's straightforwardness. It seemed his reputation had been well-founded, for even when discussing such an enthralling piece of galactic history, the young man's attention seemed occupied by more pragmatic pursuits.

"In essence, perhaps. But control is not exactly what we seek," the Falleen corrected. The Goddess valued freedom for only by the expression of one's free will could one demonstrate its absolute and unwavering devotion to her. And despite their impurities and abhorrent way of life, even Force users could hope to find salvation if they only embraced the teachings of the Goddess and expunged their sins.

"You see the Force is merely an anomaly that seeks to correct itself by pitting its two halves against one another. We just wish to mitigate the damages that might be done to those caught in the crossfires." The Patriarch had repeated this core tenet of the Pius Dea faith so often that he could now articulate the words without even giving it a momentary thought.

"What would you need to begin production of those bio-implants? And how soon could you get started?" He inquired encouraged by the fact that his idea had not simply been shut down. Zor was quite satisfied by the prompt pace at which the discussions were progressing.

Pius Dea scientists had recovered prototypes of the biochips used during the Clone Wars on Kamino, but they had as of yet been unable to repurpose the technology that had been used so effectively on the clones some two hundred years ago. For someone with the resources of the Blackwell Technologies however, this project might be a trivial matter. With luck, Pius Dea might be able to move up the timetable on its grand undertaking.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Newton]

The Force is... something. It definitely exists in this galaxy and appears it's going to stay. Although the Force religions are simply just... ridiculous, namely the Jedi. It's not that Newton hates, them, but they are still ridiculous and don't need to exist in the galaxy anymore.

Anyways, back to business. Anyways, how soon can he get started, Newton would wonder. "Lets see here, Blackwell Tech does have access to an abundant of resources and we have facilities that can begin production." Blackwell makes chips all the time for various different things. A bio-chip may be different but still. ButNewton would struggle to recall if Blackwell would have anything like the chips they were talking about, behavioral bio-chips, but he isn't recalling. "Although to my knowledge we don't have plans or schematics for behavioral bio-chips of our own. So, it would be something for our R&D team would work on, although I don't imagine that would be a difficult task. Once that is done though, we should be should be able to produce them quite easily. " Blackwell does indeed have access to lots of raw material and production facilities, so there is just the obstacle of creating their brand of bio-chip.

@Aberforth

 

[Zor]

"Very well, then," the Patriarch acquiesced gaily a rare smile that looked more like a grin dancing on his lips. The expression looked oddly unnatural across the Falleen's face as it was being made to contort against his skin heavily laden with scar tissue.

"When might I expect a prototype?" Zor asked hoping the answer would meet his expectations. He had hoped to start implanting the biochips as early as next month during a very public exhortation to urge non-believers to join his cause and impress upon them that the age of those who prayed at the false altar of the Force had come to an end. "And what would you require in exchange as recompense?" he continued appraisingly tempering his ardor.

While Zor felt a certain kinship to the young man, he knew that theirs was nothing more than a transactional relationship. The measure of the service he was providing would have to be repaid by something of equal value.

The Patriarch didn't like being indebted to others; the only entity he would openly allow himself to be beholden to was the Goddess, to whom he owed everything that he was. He knew that he might have no other choice however but to let that obligation hang over his head for a while. Pius Dea's resources were not as limitless as they had once been. Eons ago, the galaxy had been alighted by a myriad of cathedral ships orbiting over every major world in the Core. Nowadays, they had to compromise with a mere dozen surface-bound temples and other such places of worship, most of which had been repurposed ruins like the one the meeting was currently being held in.

@The Good Doctor

 

[Newton]

When might he expect a prototype? Newton has a good estimation give or take, Blackwell has tons of talented and bright minded people like himself who will be at the task. On another hand, this is a new territory for Blackwell for the control biochip. Maybe they can do some research and more peering into the clones from the pre-Empire era. Also to consider is getting a working prototype for the Patriarch, they have to test what they created, in order to test what they created they will need fodder. Perhaps they can source some slaves from Corporate Sector who might be test subjects? Blackwell doesn't use slaves (slaves are inferior to droid labor), they would just be using their influence to free them from others in exchange for credits.

"Should have one as early as next month, approximately" he said going off his calculation.. And what in exchange. "What do you have that might be suitable" Newton wasn't familiar with the Patriarch's group and wasn't going to make assumptions on what they could do. Although given how fancy the place is, they might have some serious credits, but enough for such a potentially game-changing technology? He isn't quite sure. If nothing else, maybe a favor from the Patriarch down the line, although being indebted to a mega-corp may not be in his interests.

@Aberforth